Buck Hill via Bugbee, Dark Hollow, HQ, Buck Hill, Fells, Beech Hollow Paths (Blue Hills Reservation)
Hike Type: Tracing Loop
Distance: 4.72 miles
Elevation: 525 feet
Time: 1 hour, 42 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Trail Trace the Blue Hills
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Trail Trace the Blue Hills
The Hike
I had a slow, Wednesday drive to the Blue Hills and hardly a plan. I ended up in Houghton's Pond Parking Lot C, where I'd never been before! I figured I'd just trace some needed trails and see where that led me. It was a wonderful 70 degrees out with partly cloudy skies and a glorius breeze - really a beautiful afternoon! I did a quick pee in the porta potty and then suited up for my adventure.
I started by following the path the edges the forest past the picnic area, enjoying the view of Great Blue Hill from the pond, and then made my way over to the pavement for an unpleaseant climb. Things improved once on Bugbee Path, and the trail smelled like summer! Only issue with that was that the pollen was also out and proud, and I was SNEEZING up a storm.
The upper stretch of Buck Hill Path has burn evidence on the right, which was both pretty and eerie. Once at the Skyline junction, I braved the steepness and climbed up to beautiful Buck Hill! The climb really wasn't that bad. Steep, sure, but short. The view to Great Blue Hill and Hancock Hill were excellent, and Wachusett wasn't looking too shabby either. There was also a stunning breeze.
Some springtime observations I found: plenty of tent catepillars, black chokeberries had white flowers, black huckleberries had red buds, and Wooly Catkin Gall Wasps created these cotton-like puffs on some bushes, which I had never noticed before. I spent a decent amount of time on the Seek app while on Buck, which was super fun.
On my descent, I planned to just get needed trails that were roughly on the way back, which was primarily Fells Path and Beech Hollow Path, with a few spurs on either side. I was reflecting on my spring so far (and winter) and felt really proud of myself for making Wednesday hikes a semi-regular thing. I used to easily talk my self out of hiking on Wednesdays since I get out at 3:00pm, therefor get hiking later, but this year I've just... done it!
The bugs were getting more... friendly at this point in the day, and the clouds were rolling in. I felt like Old Route 128 was narrower than the last time I was there, which was definitely possible - it's a cool walk. I continued to sneeze up a storm as I hit a few final spurs, the last of which had a downed pine limb that smelled AMAZING. Soon enough I was back at the car and on my way home.
Step-by-Step
- Park at Houghton Pond Parking Lot C.
- Start hike on path that borders the woods along the picnic area.
- At halfway point, continue straight, veering right to 2053.
- At 2053, turn right to follow green blazes.
- At 2070, turn right onto Bugbee Path.
- At 2095, turn left onto Dark Hollow Path.
- At 2112, turn left onto Quincy Path.
- At jct., turn right onto Headquarters Path.
- At jct., turn right onto Dark Hollow Path and then immediately left onto Quincy Path.
- At terminus, continue onto Headquarters Path.
- At 2164, turn right onto Buck Hill Path.
- At 2181, turn right onto Skyline Trail.
- At 2141, turn left onto Doe Hollow Path.
- At jct., turn left onto Massachuseuck Trail.
- At 2152, turn right onto Fells Path.
- At 2149, turn left onto Pig Rock Path.
- At 2154, turn around.
- At 2149, turn left onto Fells Path.
- At 2140, turn right onto Bugbee Path.
- At 2135, turn left onto Beech Hollow Path.
- At 2132 , turn right onto Doe Holow Path.
- At jct., turn around.
- At 2132, turn right onto Beech Hollow Path.
- At jct., continue right.
- At terminus, turn right onto Old Route 128.
- At 2100, turn right onto Angle Path.
- At 2092, turn left onto Burnt Hill Path.
- At 2085, turn right onto Old Route 128.
- Hike two spurs on right along Old Route 128, continue on Old Route 128.
- Return to car.
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